The Inner Voice

An old man was meandering up the sidewalk with a cane, and the button on his tweed hat read ‘ Peace begins with a smile ‘
I thought to myself, “So does deception; but it was early, and I hadn’t had my coffee.”
Dennis Mantin

Perfect Conditions

The conditions were just perfect.

Bubbled yeast and rising bread.

The sun broke through venetians

All was fractured by  words said.

Decision silence in meditation.

Somehow, you felt you were ignored.

Just surfing on a different plane from you.

Have no fear. I heard your roared.

You settled on tears, complain.

Other utterances were quite profane.

If you are done. Please knead the dough.

Some thoughts I write I don’t explain.

Dennis Mantin

A Good Way

I’m tired in a good way.

A drop of love and pinch of hope.

A tender mix of courtesy.

Laid off the pills and dope.

Prayers for peace and understanding.

I see a twinkle in those eyes.

I am prepared for most anything.

Except psychotic pain and lies…

I’ve been thinking about a future.

One for sure I can’t predict.

Keeping armed and smiling warmly.

Have my degree in high conflict.

Dennis Mantin

Einstein Sarcasm

A woman old enough to know better referred to the girl getting her coffee as “Einstein.”

After the woman left, the barista looked at her co-worker and said, “Can you believe that? She called me Einstein. ”

The co-worker said, “Like being rude?”

She answered, “Like yeah?!”

I don’t know who is more entertaining: millennials or the generation that raised them?

Dennis Mantin

Pyrrhic Victory

The advisor said, “Kill them with kindness.”

Sometimes you have to recognize that avoiding conflict with someone who is addicted to conflict is the only option if avoiding a pyrrhic victory.

Writing cheques to keep peace appears weak to some… I get it.

However, if you don’t raise children in a safe, peaceful environment, then you’ll be dealing with therapy for the rest of their lives.

Dennis Mantin

That Sparkling Light

It’s calmer in the evenings, bathing in that sparkling light.

Just moments of peace and wonder where wonder brings the night.

Before the fears take over and time has had her way.

Its nothing short of dying and those words you try to say.

It’s because we love and want and out of that we grow the fear.

When I see my daughter and wish my Mom was here…

Dennis Mantin

Lepers in the Graveyard

The lepers spent their time in graveyards because their options were somewhat limited.

Ancient social distancing.

We are asked to stay at home and some of us are fortunate enough to have one of these.

Upon healing the 10 lepers, one returned to thank Jesus,which begged the question where were the other 9?

The math still stands.

Dennis Mantin

Purging of a Bowel

The sentence was death by boredom. The virus spread the earth.

Madness rained down upon them. Like some monsters giving birth.

They handed out free money. The kind that makes you soft.

And nearly jumped out their skin. When someone smiled and coughed.

Then Dylan put out an album. With a song called Murder Most Foul.

That sounds as disgusted as I feel. Like the purging of a bowel.

I’ve learned to take the blessings and take them as they come.

He is at another level, a bit too much for some.

Dennis Mantin